in the house,
just as if she belonged to nobody, and until it was known what provision
had been made for her, no one could say what was to become of her. As
the days passed Mr. Gregory looked more anxious and worried. A strange
gentleman from London remained in the house, and spent several hours
every day in the library examining letters and papers; lawyers were
constantly coming and going, and at last it became clear, even to the
boys, that something was wrong; the gloom deepened on every face, even
the servants stood in little groups and talked in whispers; only Uncle
Clair seemed unconcerned, though Aunt Amy's eyes often filled with tears
as she looked at the boys. But none of them seemed quite prepared for
the terrible tidings Mr. Gregory had to unfold. Mr. Rivers had been
buried in the family vault at Riversdale very quietly, as his wish had
always been. The boys, their uncles, the doctor and lawyer and the
strange gentleman, whose name and real business no one seemed to know,
attended as mourners, and when they returned to the house Mr. Gregory
led the way to the library, and the family lawyer read the will. It was
very simple: Riversdale to Edward; five thousand pounds to Bertie when
he came of age, and the choice of a profession, the expenses of which
were to be paid for out of the estate; and a few legacies to faithful
servants and deserving charities; not a word of poor little Agnes, for
the simple reason that the will was made several years before she came
to Riversdale; not a single word of any person else, except that Mr.
Frank Rivers, his brother, Mr. Gregory, his brother-in-law, and Mr.
Harry Clair, his brother-in-law, were appointed executors and guardians.
The boys' minority was to be spent according to their direction. Every
one breathed a sigh of relief: they had all expected much worse; but
Bertie, happening to glance at his Uncle Gregory's face, started, and
cried suddenly, "There's something else, sir. I'm sure there's something
you are keeping from us."

[Illustration]

"Yes, my lad, unfortunately there is. When your father made this will
his property was his own to bequeath how he liked; since then he has
been unfortunate. He has speculated largely in mines that he hoped would
prove a success: they have failed; a few days since the utter failure of
a bank in which his whole private fortune was invested gave him a shock
from which he never recovered. Riversdale is fully mortgaged; the income
of